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Dear Kasper

There are a number of properties available for around 100.000 euro. It very much depends on what you want to achieve. For example, Do you want something to renovate? Do you want a town house or a farm house? Do you want an apartment? Do you want to be near the mountains or by the sea? Are you going to live in it or is this a holiday home? The list goes on.

You will need to be absolutely clear about this. You will need to be absolutely clear about you total budget. Don't forget that you will have associated purchase costs on top of the house price.

With regards to area...this very much depends on you. However, unless you have a large budget you can rule Tuscany out because you will find much for 100.000 euro. You might find something in the more remote parts but you will still need to renovate. House prices in Tuscany have gone mad over recent years.

Other areas to consider are parts of Emilia Romagna, Marche, Abruzzo and parts of Lazio. But 100.000 euro is still a bit limiting. For example, you can in certain areas find a derelict farmhouse for less than this figure but you will have to spend at least the same amount (if not more) for renovation. Prices are going up all the time because of increasing demand. In smome places you can find a town house for that price tag; one that is ready to move into. But these are rare as they are being snapped up very quickly.

I would suggest that you select an area and the plan some visits. Do not limit your visits to just the summer months. Try and visit during different seasons if you can. You need to know what it will be like during winter as well. You also need to establish what the local infrastructure is like etc.

By doing this you will soon come to prioritise and shortlist the places and properties that you like best.

Hope this helps.

Best of luck.

Dear Charles

Thanks a lot for your good advice! I am not familiar with Lazio and Marche but are any of these similar to Tuscany with regard to 'atmosphere', nature, villages etc.? If yes, does that also apply to areas in these provinces where I can find something for up till let's say 150.000 euro for:

80+ sq.m.
good condition (I would not mind bying an unrenovated property but the budget would still be say 150.000)
nice surroundings

Which areas would that be? What about Umbria?

I have not made up my mind if I prefer a country house, an apartment, etc. But the property would be a holiday residence.

Hope to hear some good advice again!!

Regards,

Kasper

Kasper

Yes I forgot to add Umbria. You will find that many places in Marche, Umbria, northern Lazio and parts of Abruzzo are reminiscent of Tuscany.

Charles

OK can you propose specific areas which meet my requirements - where I can begin my search?

Kasper

Kaspar - if you want a specific suggestion to get you going then I suggest you look at Southern Le Marche. It is probably cheaper than the Northern half becuase there is less in the way of obvious "culture" (Urbino is in theNorth) but it is absolutely beautiful with every hilltop having a village on it.

Ascoli Piceno in the far south is a lovely town. Others are Amandola, Sarnano, San Ginesio (full of Brits). My house is near Communanza, which isn't particularly pretty but has all the amenities and a good ½ûÂþÌìÌà estate agent (though you'll probably need to speak some ½ûÂþÌìÌÃ). My village is Montefalcone Appenino which is pretty spectacular - perched on a cliff with views of mountains and the sea.

I hope that gets you started .......good luck

Kaspar...

Some of my favourite areas in southern Marche are:

The contryside around Offida, Castignano, Cossignano Fermo, Penna San Giovanni, Mogliano, Loro Piceno, Montegirorgio, Falerone, Montalto, Belmonte Piceno, Petritoli and Monterubbiano.

Northern Marche...it has to be the Montefeltro with San Leo.

If you drop me a line via e mail I'll send you some photographs of the landscape and towns

[QUOTE=Charles Joseph]Kasper

You will find that many places in Marche, Umbria, northern Lazio and parts of Abruzzo are reminiscent of Tuscany.

Charles[/QUOTE]

Even better, you will find that many places in Marche, Umbria, Lazio and Abruzzo look nothing like Tuscany and are all the better for it.

I wouldn't change my view of Gran Sasso (to the south) and the Adriatic (to the north) for Tuscan hills.

And I think I would commit acts of physical violence to get a home in the lakes between Terni and Rieti.

Steve...

I agree that the views of Gran Sasso are stunning and so too are the Sibillini when seen from the rolling hills west of Belmonte Piceno, Penna San Giovanni and S. Angelo in Pontano for example...whilst the rolling hills and vineyards around Montalto nelle Marche are similar to those you see in parts of Tuscany.

But I have seen asome equally stunning views of the Apuane in Tuscany. The fact is that most parts of central Italy have that wow factor.

That you would resort to physical violence to get a home by the lakes...now now!!!

[QUOTE=Charles Joseph]Steve...
That you would resort to physical violence to get a home by the lakes...now now!!![/QUOTE]

Well they don't come up for sale very often :)

One of my favourite restaurants is over that way - between Terni and L'Aquila at a thermal spa. I can never remember the name of the town but we pass through it on our way home from Viterbo or Bomarzo (sometimes I like to avoid the autostrada). The only *slight* problem is that being a Terme, everything smells of rotten eggs, fortunately the pong doesn't get into the restaurant. The route from Terni to L'Aquila sees some of the most memorable scenery in the area although the view from the Autoroute from Rome to L'Aquila is also stunning, if you get a chance to look right from some of the viaducts.

Oh heck, all of it is good, and the only resemblance to the curate's egg is that parts of it smell like rotten egg.

sorry for my english, but i think it's possible to buy good flat in Central or South Italy for € 100.000.

I believe that the best prospects for price increases in the years, are Marche, Abruzzo, Molise, Puglia!!!!

;)

If you want stunning scenery with very few neighbours there are some nice areas around comunanza in southern le marche which turns out to be something of an ugly duckling.
The market there is very good and many people actually use it in preference to the more expensive neighbouring towns.
Comunanza is a working town so you will actualy mix with people who live a normal italian life-warts and all.
Prices in the more up market towns are much higher.
If you can see through some of the less glamorous aspects of a true working town you may find a good deal in the surrounding villages which may be just as pretty as those in more expensive areas
good luck and enjoy the journey!!!
P.S. we have lots of wild boar for neighbours

Dear Kasper

If you decide to head down Umbria way, I'd be glad to help you with local estate agents etc and offer any advice I can. I am currently teaching English as a Foreign language here and loving it! We have bought a property and Umbria is truly beautiful.
Kind regards
Christine

Do you really mean Penne to Teramo? That's Penne as in next door to Loreto Aprutino? I really can't understand you being disappointed with that particular area which is not only mostly unspoiled but also has stunning views of Gran' Sasso and the Adriatic. Towns such as Basciano, Bisente and Cernignano are little gems.

And I'm also not sure if you have the map twisted in your head. Due west of L'Aquila is IMO pretty dire with but the area north by northwest encompassed by Rieti, Terni and Spoleto is stunning.[/QUOTE]

Well I'm afraid to say that I was disappointed Steve. I visited the area with some clients recently but we were unimpressed. We found the countryside rather dull and boring and in some areas you had an ugly mismatch of modern and ancient properties all next to one another...not very pleasing in architectural terms. I agree though that some towns are gems (it depends what you mean by gems) but you have to go further inland to find these. Sadly the area realy didn't provide me with that WOW factor. Anyway I can still enjoy stunning views of Gran Sasso (as well as the Sibilline Mountains) from places in the Marche like Ripatransone for example.

Don't think I've got the map twisted in my head Steve. I do know my way around Italy.

[QUOTE=Christine19]Dear Kasper

If you decide to head down Umbria way, I'd be glad to help you with local estate agents etc and offer any advice I can. I am currently teaching English as a Foreign language here and loving it! We have bought a property and Umbria is truly beautiful.
Kind regards
Christine[/QUOTE]

Dear Christine

Thanks a lot. I got the impression that property is generally more expensive in Umbria than in for example le Marche and Lazio. Is that right or does it only apply to certain parts of Umbria?

Best regards

Kasper

Try Abruzzo, it's still unspoilt and you have direct flights with ryanair from stansted to pescara every day with prices starting from...erm....1 penny! :)

[QUOTE=Laura72]Try Abruzzo, it's still unspoilt and you have direct flights with ryanair from stansted to pescara every day with prices starting from...erm....1 penny! :)[/QUOTE]

Umm no, don't try Abruzzo. It's a horrible place. The beaches are thick with oil, the sky is full of green smog. The buildings are made of (crumbling) asbestos and the water isn't fit to drink. The state takes a tax of a £1000 from any traveller arriving with Ryanair and the region is already full of British people.

Fortunately for some, the tax cited by Lotaresco only applies to good looking people. If you have not yet received your bill (fattura) than you might want to check with the local comune. When I completed my paperwork I was told they would get back with me. You can also apply for a permanent exception if this applies...

Thanks for all your informative answers! What about Veneto and Emilia-Romagna - how are the property prices here compared to Lazio, Umbria, Marhe? And how do these regions compare in terms of landscape, 'atmosphere' etc.

Kasper

i loved abruzzo .. but whats wrong with buying cheap property in a real unspoiled region like calabria ... i haven't seen better beaches anywhere in italy.

Kasper, I really do think that you need to visit some of these areas, rather than asking for other people's views, we all have our favourite area's, Le Marche still offers good value if you look for it, a couple of friends recenly found a beautiful house in the mountains for 26 thousand, it had been a family, holiday home and had been lovingly maintained too. BUT, you need to look around, you also need, as previously mentioned to be sure of the type of home, location etc., you are looking for. :)

[QUOTE=GeorgeS]Kasper, I really do think that you need to visit some of these areas, rather than asking for other people's views, we all have our favourite area's, Le Marche still offers good value if you look for it, a couple of friends recenly found a beautiful house in the mountains for 26 thousand, it had been a family, holiday home and had been lovingly maintained too. BUT, you need to look around, you also need, as previously mentioned to be sure of the type of home, location etc., you are looking for. :)[/QUOTE]

You are right, I need to go and see for myself as soon as possible. I am just trying to narrow down my places of interest so that I can perhaps visit two or three areas.

Kasper

The previous entry looks like an advert to me!

"Umm no, don't try Abruzzo. It's a horrible place. The beaches are thick with oil, the sky is full of green smog. "

Are we talking about Abruzzo in Italy? I didn't see any thick oil on the beach when I was last there, and the sky is usually as blue as can be.

Come on Adriatica, you can't let them get away with this one?

luckily i did not arrive by ryan air so avoided the tax..... however i have been reported to the local authorities for unpunctuated and gramatically incorrect postings on this site..... when i arrived to pay the fine.... they decided that i looked so good that they stuck the tax on me anyway... despite several protests from friendly natives that i was really more ugly than i looked ... then to cap it all they then fined me for each of my spelling mistakes.... by that stage i owed so much in back tax i was in danger of being exported.... my bycicle being confiscated and allwordly possesions being auctioned..... too many dots again ..... and whats a shift key....then i realised that i had something on them, and said that despite my terrible spelling ,punctuation and all other written mistakes that i would reveal the secret that the beaches have had all the oil painted a realistic sand color to fool the tourists and the sky painted blue to hide the green smog..... with that they let me go... having posted this message minus capitals and also full of dots i suspect the english grammar police might well try and stitch me up again.... if no further postings do arrive it might well be that i just havent been able to pay the fines.... or indeed... might well be so offended by the comments on my written english abilities that i just could not take any furher criticism and might well be weeping over a half empty demijon in the cantina... or is that half full... i promise to find out what that funny key with caps on does and really i thought the shift key was for when i had to move the keyboard somewhere else....

Don't worry if you can't pay the fines and taxes John, you can join in another ½ûÂþÌìÌà pastime and go bankrupt!

That'll be your best solution Kasper, I am sure you will find what you're looking for, as soon as YOU do the looking. There is so much to recommend in the whole country.
Good Luck in your searches, if you're passing through Francavilla (don't blink, you'll miss it) give me a shout, I'll treat you to a Coffee in the best bar in town.

[QUOTE=Laura72]Try Abruzzo, it's still unspoilt and you have direct flights with ryanair from stansted to pescara every day with prices starting from...erm....1 penny! :)[/QUOTE]

Actually Laura you will find that many parts of central Italy are still completely unspoilt.

You can’t expect everyone to like Tuscany, Marche, Umbria Lazio or Abruzzo for example. We all have our preferences. I don’t particularly like some of the coastal areas (I wouldn’t say that they are unspoilt) of the Marche or Abruzzo, or the Valle del Tronto. I was equally disappointed with the area between Penne and Teramo, although the Maiella, the Gran Sasso and areas west of L’Aquila are absolutely great.

I spent nearly four years working in Florence and know all of Tuscany’s ten provinces extremely well. But there are parts of the region that do not appeal to me. Each time I visit specific areas I think that I’ve found the perfect place, only to discover other places blessed with historical and cultural riches and a natural beauty of greater magnitude that still manages to remain completely unspoilt.

You could go quite far with that kind of budget, I would suggest you looked for a property in an area that is still quite undiscovered by tourism.
What about Monferrato, in Piemonte.

Regards

Paola

[QUOTE=Charles Joseph]I don’t particularly like some of the coastal areas (I wouldn’t say that they are unspoilt) of the Marche or Abruzzo, or the Valle del Tronto. I was equally disappointed with the area between Penne and Teramo, although the Maiella, the Gran Sasso and areas west of L’Aquila are absolutely great.[/QUOTE]

Hmm, much of the costline of Abruzzo is unspoilt. OTOH since the region is now teeming with Brits I'm not inclined to say which regions are unspoiled lest it encourage them. However from Giulianova to Rimini it's hard to describe the coastline as anything other than spoiled. There are a few isolated coves but that apart it's tourism central, as brash as Blackpool and it's been the haunt of German tourists since WWII (or even during WWII if one is being unkind). That said, it's exactly what many British tourists are looking for, though having lived along that coast myself I can't recommend it in Winter, not even in late autumn. Like all seaside towns they can get pretty miserable out of season. Following the ½ûÂþÌìÌà example of living in XXX Alta rather than XXX Lido seems to be a good move. Close enough to get to the beach in summer but in a nice town with pleasant neighbours, shops &c during winter.

Do you really mean Penne to Teramo? That's Penne as in next door to Loreto Aprutino? I really can't understand you being disappointed with that particular area which is not only mostly unspoiled but also has stunning views of Gran' Sasso and the Adriatic. Towns such as Basciano, Bisente and Cernignano are little gems.

And I'm also not sure if you have the map twisted in your head. Due west of L'Aquila is IMO pretty dire with but the area north by northwest encompassed by Rieti, Terni and Spoleto is stunning.

[QUOTE=kasper Andersen]I am considering buying property in Central Italy for vacation but I am not sure how far I will get for euro 100.000 in terms of type of property, location, condition, sq.meters etc. ½ûÂþÌìÌà real estate websites seldom pose very good pictures of the properties on sale.

Could anyone help me to get an idea of what I could expect.

Besides, which areas have the best prospects for price increases in the coming years? Can anyone refer me to studies etc. in English?

Kasper Andersen, Denmark[/QUOTE]
Kaspar Have read the whole thread and all interesting and we all obviously love our own area! Highly recommend that you look in the Lazio lake district around Viterbo, Vetralla, Tuscania etc etc. Can suggest an excellent property consultancy. If you are interested please contact us direct and we will give you details, we viewed with them ourselves so can make honest comments.